November 11, 2008

Well, BigSis, I have to admit that I'm not completely satisfied with my eye regimen either.  I have some “tried and true” favorites, but lately it seems like I need a little more.  Maybe we're just in denial that we aren't in our 30s anymore!

Here's the “scoop” on the products I'm using now:

• I have the same problem with nighttime eye cream.  If it's too heavy, the morning puffiness is noticeably worse.  So, right now, before bed, I'm using Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Eye Serum.

Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Eye Serum

It is lightweight and moisturizing at the same time. I can't say that I wake up without any puffiness, but I think it would be worse if I weren't using this product.  I haven't found anything more moisturizing that isn't too heavy. This .5 oz. bottle is $43.50, but it lasts for months.

First thing in the morning, I use one of two products depending on the amount of puffiness under my eyes.

• BigSis turned me on to the Replenix Intensive Eye Lightening Serum and I use it most mornings right when I get up. I also order this through skincarerx for $54.95. You literally only use a dot under each eye. I've probably had my bottle for over six months now.

Replenix Intensive Eye Lightening Serum

• If I'm more puffy than normal, I'll use the Origins No Puffery Cooling Mask for Puffy Eyes that I keep in the refrigerator.  This feels so refreshing underneath tired eyes when it's kept cold. I think it does the trick. This 1 oz. tube is only $21.00 and lasts for months.

Origins No Puffery

I really like both of these products, but I don't use either one of them underneath my concealer.  I leave these on for a few hours, then wipe off in the shower. (I'm up very early!)

• Before my concealer, I dab on a little of this Chanel Rectifiance Intense Eye. I really love this product! It's rich and creamy and my concealer goes on very smooth on top of it. I really think that is has helped prevent some deeper lines around the “crows feet” area of my eyes.

Chanel Rectifiance Intense Eye

I realize that the Chanel Rectifiance Intense Eye is not the cheapest product available. This jar is $72.00 and it, again, lasts for months. For me, it is worth every penny.

Yes, I do use three different products on my eyes every day.  I admit that it might be a “teeny, tiny” obsessive but I consider it preventive medicine. It's cheaper than a plastic surgeon!

That's my daily routine for tired, puffy eyes! BigSis, should we continue this skin care conversation and talk about moisturizers?

If anyone has a fantastic product recommendation for puffy eyes, we would LOVE for you to comment on this post or send us an email!

~LilSis

November 10, 2008

I never start the day or end the day without using an eye cream, eye balms, or serum, but I am actually not completely satisfied with my eye product situation right now, so I'm on the prowl for something new since the Chanel eye cream I used to use was discontinued.

• My morning eye treatment was recommended to me by the esthetician at my dermatologist's office, and I've been pretty happy with it. It's Replenix Intensive Eye Lightening Serum. I don't have much problem with dark circles, which this says it will address, but it's also supposed to tighten and firm the under-eye area, and I think it does a good job of that. In BigSis' Perfect Eye Cream World, it would just be a little bit more moisturizing. At skincarerx, I pay $54.95 for it.
• I like for my nighttime eye cream to very hydrating, but not make my eyes puffy, which most eye creams will do to me. Currently, I'm using Loreal Skin Genesis Multi-Layer Cell Strengthening Daily Treatment Eye Serum. Is that a big name for an eye cream, or what? The price tag is pleasingly small though, at less than $20 at discount stores. I read about it on makeupalley, and it got great reviews. It's performed well, but I think I need a little bit more oomph from my nighttime eye cream.
  

  Loreal Skin Genesis Eye Serum

• According to the Best of Beauty feature in the October issue of Allure magazine, the best anti-wrinkle eye cream is Relastin Eye Silk ($69) so that one may be worth a try. There are 15 reviews for it on drugstore.com, and the only 2 negative ones were about packaging and that the product didn't last 60 days.
• I do have to give a big thumbs-up to my all time favorite eye makeup remover, Lancome BiFacil. I've tried the highly-recommended drugstore brands to save some money, because the BiFacil is a pricey little product in my opinion ($26), but the less expensive products seem to dry out the skin around my eyes, and that's not good! So I always go back to BiFacil. NOTHING clears eye makeup away like it does, even waterproof mascara, and it never causes clogged pores or eye irritation. It's one of BigSis' Hall of Fame Beauty Products!

So, LilSis, give me the lowdown on your current eye cream favorites. I could use some guidance!

~BigSis